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Rabbi Jessica Rosenberg with Wendy Elisheva Somerson (wes) and Dean Spade
Rabbi Jessica Rosenberg discusses her new book with local writers Wendy Elisheva Somerson and Dean Spade. For Times Such As These provides a guide for creative ritual, an exploration of anti-Zionist Judaism, and invitation to embody decolonial, anti-racist, queer practice. The night's program will feature a reading, discussion, and shabbat ritual. The author asks that attendees please wear a mask (maskes are provided in the Readings Room).
With a chapter for each month, For Times Such as These offers spiritual practices and holiday rituals rooted in movements for racial justice, decolonization, feminism, and queer and trans liberation. Each chapter opens with an invocation by liturgist Dori Midnight, illuminated by artist Sol Weiss. Highlighting each month's spiritual and cultural qualities, Katz & Rosenberg summarize and provide commentary on Torah readings; examine the texts, histories, and contemporary customs of Jewish holidays; and offer questions to reflect on and engage spiritually with the month. This contemporary companion to the Jewish year cycle is not only an educational resource in Jewish tradition, holidays, and ritual, but a bellwether for radical Jews who want their lives and practice to be rooted in their political commitments.
Rabbi Jessica Rosenberg is an organizer, activist, and writer based in South Minneapolis. She is a graduate of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and core organizer of the Radical Jewish Calendar project.
Wendy Elisheva Somerson (wes) is a non-binary Jewish somatic healer, writer, visual artist, and activist who helped found the Seattle chapter of Jewish Voice for Peace. They facilitate Ruach, body-based Jewish healing groups held in an anti-Zionist, anti-racist, and feminist framework. As part of a movement of anti-Zionist Jews, they support Jewish healing from historical trauma and promote a liberatory future for Jewishness beyond Zionism that includes a free Palestine. Their book on body-based Jewish healing in an anti-Zionist framework will come out in 2025.
Dean Spade has been working in movements for queer and trans liberation and racial and economic justice for the past two decades. He’s the author of Normal Life: Administrative Violence, Critical Trans Politics, and the Limits of Law and the director of the documentary “Pinkwashing Exposed: Seattle Fights Back!” His latest book, Mutual Aid: Building Solidarity During This Crisis (and the Next), was published in 2020 by Verso press and has since been or is about to be published in Italian, Portuguese, Catalan, Korean, Spanish, Thai, Czech and German.
Event Links
Website: https://go.evvnt.com/2326263-0
